The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-02-12

Complete Destruction OF the A1pduSh ou14U
ing-Three Stores Burned out-toss I'VE
$50 oo0-Insurance Sss, eoo-hmciehs wo e,,a
of the Fire Observation-Disclosures Oh Ine
Fire, sc.
"Albaugh's Building is on fire. was the
onnce9ant rather quietly made, at the
Western Union Telegraph Office at l.91
O'Clock on Thursday morning, by a colored
worth who stepped into the office at that hour
George w. Smith, the night operator, was
sitting at desk writing letter, ana friVate
Watchman Andrew Fowler, who had stoppeuc
in a few minutes before, was warming hlmsell
by the fire. Though quietly made, the an
nouncement startled the occupants OF the
nS;ca and both at once arose. Mr.. Fowler
had been on a tour of inspection west OF the
railroad, and being confident that everything
was serene, could scarcely believe the report;
ond Mr.. Smith was also somewhat lncreuu-
Ions Requesting Mr.. Fowler to watch the
Office. Mr.. Smith, followed by the colored
voufb went out to investigate. There was no
ind;cat;on of fire from the front of the build
inc and the youth said the fire was IN the
roar Fastening down the railroad to the
alley. it was observed that the report was 700
true. and Mr. Smith shouted hre hre anu
FASTENED to the Fire Department Buildlng 10
rino an alarm. His alarm summoned Mi.
Fowler, and the three ran to the nre pen W,
oether. By the time the front ofthe Aibaugh
building was reached, the part occupied by
A. Z. Hurley, as a grocery store, was an
ablaze. Just as they were passing an expo
SION occurred within, which blew out the
Mate glass from the front windows, pieces oil
which cut Mr.. Smiths right thumb, his nat
and n shoe. The cut on the thumb was right
severe. but Mr.. Smith was too ANXIOUS 10
summon the fremen to examine the wouho'
and for the time did not realize that he was
hurt. D:,l;
Going into the Fire Department Building
the colored youth was the first to pun tne
bell rope, but he remained!but a Jew moments
and disanpeared. Mr. Smith did not recog-
n;ze him. and does not think he could Iden-
t;fy him now. His appearance and disap-
nearance were abrupt. He has not made
himself known since, nor did he give any ac-
connt of how he came to discover the lire.
Messrs. Smith and Fowler tugged away man
fnIIv Mt the bell, and its loud, clear tones
awakened the whole population that were not
disturbed by the explosion. The latter was
| heard by many people in the ne,Ghborhood,
and aroused some OF the gueSi u.- III
HOur lHJ sses--i lee hundred yards away. For
a full quarter of an hour the bell was vigor
ously rung, and in their anxiety the bellmen
forgot to indicate in what district the fire was
located. Nor was it necessary, for the fire
soon enveloped the whole interior of the
building, broke through the high mansard
roof. and the flames shot high in the air, light
ing up the entire city. The night was calm,
and the flames and sparks went straight up,
and were visible for miles in the country to
those who were aroused by the fire bell
The fremen responded quickly, and by
O. clock two heavy streams were pouring into
the building. The saving of the structure
seemed hopeless, and disastrous conhaga-
ton appeared imminent. The fury with
which the fire ragged, caused fears that the
adjoining buildings would fall prey to the
flames, and after consultation President Sea.
brook, of the Fire Department, telegraphed
carriage, with 1000 feet of hose and No. re-
serve hose carriage, with large quantity of
hose, were made ready to go by Chief Hen
nick, but just as the apparatus was being
placed on cars at Hillen Station Chief Hen
nick received dispatch which, after express
ing many thanks, said the services of the Bal
timore department were not needed.
The well directed efforts of the Westmin-
ster firemen soon put the flames under con-
troll, or rather prever led them frol spreading
to adjoining proper ), for the fire had envel-
oped everything that could burn, and nothing
was left of the building except the brick walls
foundation when the roof and tower fell in.
The structure, owned by George W. Al
baugh. was erected in 1888 at a cost of about
ST., 600. 1t was situated near the railroad, in
the very centre of the chief business part of
the city, and the lot upon which it stood cost
S8125. The building was GO feet front by 100
deep, and was surmounted by tower. Up
to last fall Mr.. Albaugh occupied the whole
of it, conducting grocery department, dry
goods department and a boot, shoe and cloth
ing department.. In October last S. Kann,
Son & Co., of 500 South Broadway, Balti-
more, leased the centre room, and A. E.
Hurley, of Baltimore, took the grocery de-
while Mr.. Albaugh contracted his
business into the remaining room.
On Wednesday night the stores were all
right when closed up. Kann Co. were open
q little later than usual, and about o'clock
finished dressing the show windows with spring
goods just received.
The fire started in the rear of A. E. Hur-
ley's store, and its origin is a mystery, as
there was no fire in the store. Some believe
that it was of incendiary origin.
Mr.. Frank Miller, of Littlestown, Pa, says
that between 4 and O clock Thursday morn
ing, as he was coming down the pike towards
Westminster, he passed, at a point ten or
Twelve miles north of here, two men in bug
~
be very much tagged bykfu running. Though i
e moon was shining he could not distinguish s
e parties faces. This circumstance has led q
,me to surmise that a safe in the building !
as robbed and the place fired to hide evil c
,nces of the crime that pursuit of the thieves
ould be delayed. The safe of S. Kann, Son l
Co. was found after the fire with the door c
oened and all the contents gone. In it were
ooks and papers and about 500 in money. b
In less than two hours after discovery the r
ocks of three stores and the building, except q
e brick walls, were burnt completely. Not T
dollars worth of goods was saved, nor was
ere any attempt to remove anything from
e stores as the fire had gained such tremen- J
Jus Roadway before the firemen assembled.
he heat was intense. The door of the new B
rst National Bank Building was blistered u
ID ruined, and desk on the inside was also t
The old bank property was dam S
red somewhat from the heat, while the win S
,ws of the upper story of The Albion Hotel
i'll all have to be re- glazed and the frames re-
tinted. By the skillfnl use of the hose the
aines building on the east, and that on the V
est, occupied by John Christmas, were saved C
ON injury, though both made narrow escapes.
The losses are estimated as follows: Geo. o
. Albaugh on building $4,000, on stock c
Il 200; S. Kahn, Son & Co. $29, 900; A. E. Y
urley $4,000, total 1884, 900. Against this is
e following insurance: G. W. Albaugh, on a
Hiding $4,000; $4,000 in Carroll County
utual and $4,000 in Baltimore County Mu-
al; on stock So, ZOO, $4,000 in the Etna, 4
900 in the Springfield, $4,000 in the Cont
,ntal, $500 in the National of Baltimore I
ID $25OO in the Western of Toronto; A. E. p
urley, on stock $1,000 in the Royal of Lon p
IN; S. Kann, Son & Co., on stock SIS, 200;
tai insurance $3S, 800.
The Albaugh Building will be rebuilt short {
, and will be restocked by the former &C. I
pants. Nothing can be done, however, t
It'll the matter of insurance is settled, which
III be determined in few days. t
The Fire Department acted promptly and 6
fcently, and are to be complimepted upon ]
cir services. The Department is complete t
to efficiency, but there is great need of i
ore hose. 1t has been their aim to keep s
els and detachments at each end of the city, y